How to Expand Your Putting Range and Sink More Long Putts Like the Pros

Why Long Putting Matters More Than You Think

When most golfers hit the practice green, what do you see? Dozens of balls circling the hole from just a few feet away — the short putts everyone loves to rehearse. And while making your 3-footers is crucial, what often separates a 95-shooter from an 85-shooter is their ability to handle putts from 20, 30, even 40 feet with confidence.

Long putting is more about control than perfection. Even PGA Tour players don’t make many putts beyond 20 feet — but they rarely three-putt. They’ve trained themselves to leave a tap-in second putt, reducing wasted strokes and building momentum during their rounds.

The good news? You don’t need pro-level skill to gain pro-level results. With a few core drills, strategic tips, and better understanding of what matters most in long-range putting, you can dramatically cut down your three-putts and start making more putts from 10 to 15 feet — the scoring range where strokes are won and lost.

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The Putting Distance Breakdown – What the Stats Say

Let’s start by looking at the cold, hard numbers — how often putts are actually made at different distances.

Here’s a comparison between PGA Tour pros and average amateur golfers:

Putt Distance	PGA Tour Make %	Estimated Amateur Make %
3 feet	99%	85–95%
5 feet	77%	50–70%
10 feet	40%	15–25%
15 feet	25%	10–15%
20 feet	15%	5–10%
30 feet	7%	<5%
40+ feet	3%	Rare

These stats tell a clear story:

You’re not expected to make most long putts — even the best players in the world don’t.
But you must avoid three-putting. From 30+ feet, Tour pros still manage to two-putt the vast majority of the time.
The difference is distance control, green reading, and feel — all of which can be trained.

Key Takeaway: Most amateurs don’t practice long putts. As a result, they lack the touch and confidence required to consistently get the ball within 2–3 feet of the hole, which leads to more three-putts and unnecessary strokes.

Key Skills for Expanding Your Putting Range

Improving your ability to putt from 20, 30, and even 40 feet isn’t just about hitting the ball harder. It’s about controlling your speed, reading greens accurately, and making consistent contact with the center of the putter face. Let’s walk through the core skills that unlock longer-range putting success.

Distance Control is Priority #1

Speed control is the foundation of long putting. Your main goal from outside 20 feet isn’t to make the putt — it’s to leave yourself with an easy tap-in second putt. That’s how Tour pros reduce three-putts.

One of the best ways to train this is with the Ladder Drill:

Set up markers or tees at 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet from the hole.
Hit 3–5 balls from each station.
Your goal: Stop each ball within a 3-foot “circle” around the hole.
Once you complete a distance, move to the next.
Bonus: Reverse the ladder (start at 50 ft and move down) to improve adaptability.

Doing this regularly teaches you to “feel” distance rather than rely on mechanical backswing lengths.

Read the Whole Green, Not Just the Hole

Reading the slope correctly on long putts means paying attention to more than the last few feet. Most amateurs only look near the hole, but long putts curve over the full length of the green.

Tips for better long-range reads:

Walk the entire putt from ball to hole — feel the slope under your feet.
View the putt from both behind the ball and behind the hole.
Look at where water would drain if it rained — this helps identify the true fall line.

When in doubt, play more break than you think, and let gravity help guide the ball.

Speed Over Break

From 30 feet and beyond, it’s more important to get the speed right than the line. Even if your read is slightly off, a properly paced putt will stay closer to the hole. A misjudged speed, on the other hand, often leads to big second putts or lip-outs.

Think of speed as your safety net — it’s what keeps the ball around the hole even when your read isn’t perfect.

Solid Contact at Impact

Hitting the ball off the toe or heel of your putter can reduce energy transfer, resulting in inconsistent roll and distance. That’s a major issue when you’re putting from 30+ feet.

Here’s a simple training aid using tees or rubber bands:

Place two tees or bands on the toe and heel of your putter face to create a “gate.”
Putt through the gate and focus on contacting the center of the face.
Any off-center hit will be felt immediately — great feedback for improving strike quality.

🛠 Recommended Training Aid:
EyeLine Golf Putting Alignment Mirror — helps train face alignment, setup posture, and centered contact — all crucial for long-range putts.

Drills to Increase Long Putt Confidence

Once you understand the fundamentals of distance control, green reading, and solid contact, it’s time to put those skills into action. These drills are designed to simulate real on-course pressure and help you develop reliable feel from long range.

Target Fringe Drill (Distance Feel + Visual Focus)

This drill helps you dial in feel from long range by using visual landing zones instead of the hole. It’s great for improving your natural distance control.

How to do it:

Stand 30 to 50 feet away from the hole or target.
Place a towel or alignment stick 3 feet short of the hole and another 3 feet past the hole.
Your goal is to land each putt so it finishes between the two markers.
Focus on the feel and tempo of your stroke, not the result.

This drill trains you to hit long putts that roll out naturally without rushing or decelerating — and reduces three-putts dramatically.

Around the World Lag Putting

This variation trains your feel for both distance and direction.

Setup:

Place 5–6 balls in a half-circle around the hole at 20 to 30 feet out.
Each putt has a different break (left to right, right to left, uphill, downhill).
Try to get each ball within 2–3 feet of the hole, or better, make a few.

If you want to simulate this indoors or on a consistent surface at home, the PuttOut Putting Mat is a great training aid with built-in distance markers and alignment guides.

Distance Ladder Challenge

This version turns lag putting into a scoreable challenge.

Rules:

Set up at 10, 20, 30, and 40 feet.
Putt one ball from each station.
Scoring:
- 2 points = 1-putt
- 1 point = 2-putt
- 0 points = 3-putt or worse

Try to beat your score each round. This gamified approach builds pressure and helps you measure improvement over time.

Use a Distance Control Gate Drill

For even more feedback, try placing a 3-foot ring (use tees or a string circle) around the hole and practice leaving the ball inside that zone from long range. You’ll quickly see how your speed is trending — short, long, or just right.

To make it more challenging, add the PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer to the setup — it only returns perfectly paced putts and helps you dial in both line and speed from distance.

How to Make More 10, 12, and 15-Foot Putts

The 10 to 15-foot range is where better players separate themselves. These aren’t just random-length putts — they’re your birdie chances, par saves, and the momentum boosters that lower your scores fast. Yet most amateur golfers neglect this range during practice.

Let’s put things in perspective with the stats:

Distance	PGA Tour Make %
10 feet	~40%
12 feet	~30%
15 feet	~25%

Most amateurs make fewer than 1 in 10 from this range. But if you train correctly and push your make percentage to just 20%, you’ll gain 1–2 strokes per round. That’s huge.

Keys to Making More Putts in This Range

Aim Small to Start on Line
Don’t just aim “at the hole.” Focus on a tiny target like a blade of grass or a discoloration a few inches ahead of your ball. This builds precision.
Match Speed to the Break
Mid-range putts break less if you hit them with confidence. A firm but smooth stroke helps hold your line and reduces lip-outs.
Stabilize the Lower Body
Most misses come from unnecessary movement. Think of your legs and hips like concrete — the putter should swing with just your shoulders.
Hold Your Finish
After contact, freeze your stroke and watch the ball roll. This trains tempo and prevents peeking — a common cause of pulls and pushes.

Drills to Build Confidence From 10–15 Feet

🔢 Compass Drill

Place 4 tees around the hole at 10–12 feet (north, south, east, west).
Putt one ball from each station.
Goal: Make 2 of 4, then progress to 3 of 4 or move back to 15 feet.

⭕ Circle of Truth Drill

Set 5–6 balls around the hole in a circle (12–15 feet).
Go around the circle trying to make at least 50%.
Miss 2 in a row? Start over. Pressure builds consistency.

🎯 Gate Drill

Insert two tees just wider than your putter head.
Stroke through the gate cleanly for center-face contact.
Challenge yourself: Make 5 in a row before leaving practice.

🛠 Recommended Training Aid:
Try the Pelz Putting Tutor — it trains aim, face angle, and start direction by using marbles on your start line. Miss the gate and the ball kicks offline, giving instant feedback.

Want to roll in more clutch putts? Commit to training the 10–15 foot zone. It’s where confident rounds are built — and scores start to drop.

What Golf Pros Do Differently on Long Putts

One of the biggest differences between pros and amateurs isn’t just technique — it’s their intentional approach to every putt. Pros don’t randomly stroke long putts hoping they get close. They follow a repeatable process rooted in visualization, feel, and trust. If you want to putt like a pro from long range, it’s time to start thinking and preparing like one.

1. Pros Visualize the Entire Roll

Before they even step into the putt, pros imagine the ball’s full journey:

Where it starts
How it breaks
Where it slows down
And how it will fall into the hole or stop close

Many use a trick called the “dollar bill roll” — they visualize the last 12 inches of the putt rolling over a dollar bill and dropping in. That final stretch is their target zone.

2. They Focus on Feel, Not Mechanics

On long putts, pros aren’t thinking about their wrist angles or shoulder motion. They rely on feel developed through years of practice:

They rehearse strokes while looking at the hole, not the ball — building connection to the target.
They often take multiple rehearsal strokes just to feel the distance.
When it’s time to go, the stroke is automatic — not mechanical.

3. They Trust Their Pre-Shot Routine

Every great putter has a consistent routine that prepares them mentally and physically to commit. That routine might look like:

Walking around the line of the putt
Marking and replacing the ball with a specific alignment line
A set number of practice strokes (usually while looking at the hole)
One clean step in, setup, and stroke

The consistency of the routine builds confidence — and confidence leads to better rolls.

4. They Prioritize Speed Over Line

From 30 to 50 feet, you could be off by a foot or more on your read and still two-putt — if your speed is perfect. But even a perfect read is worthless if you hit it too hard or too soft.

Pros learn to control pace with:

Quiet hands and smooth tempo
Firm center-face contact that avoids bouncing or wobble
A clear mental picture of where the ball should stop, not just where it should start

Bonus Tip: Play for the “Speed Circle”

Pros often think in terms of a 3-foot circle around the hole. That’s their target zone. Whether it goes in or not, the putt must stop within that circle to avoid three-putting. You can train this mindset too by using a string ring or chalk circle in practice.

🧠 Visualization Drill:
Before each long putt, step behind the ball and mentally trace the putt all the way to the hole. Picture the break, the roll, and the finish speed. Then take two rehearsal strokes while looking at the hole, step in, and commit.

The difference isn’t magic — it’s mental. Pros have a plan for every long putt. If you want to improve your lag putting, model their process. Combine solid fundamentals with a repeatable routine, and you’ll see real gains fast.

Equipment That Helps With Long Putting

While putting is largely about feel and technique, the equipment you use can play a big role in your ability to control speed, hit consistent rolls, and build confidence — especially from longer distances. Pros know this, and that’s why they fine-tune every aspect of their putting setup.

1. Use a Putter with the Right Weight and Balance

For long putts, a putter with a heavier head or proper counterbalancing can help you maintain tempo and prevent deceleration. It also promotes a smoother pendulum motion, especially on slower greens.

One great option to consider is the Odyssey White Hot OG #7 Putter.
This mallet-style putter offers exceptional stability and forgiveness, making it easier to control distance and strike the center of the face consistently.

2. Choose a Ball That Matches Your Feel

The type of golf ball you use can significantly affect how the ball comes off the face on long putts. Softer balls tend to offer more feel and control, while firmer balls can sometimes roll out too far unless timed perfectly.

For a soft feel and Tour-level performance, many players turn to the Titleist Pro V1.
It delivers a pure roll, excellent greenside control, and consistent speed feedback — all important when judging putts over 30+ feet.

3. Practice with Purpose-Built Tools

To train your long putting effectively, a few smart training aids can accelerate your improvement.

The PuttOut Pressure Trainer is perfect for practicing pace — it only returns perfectly struck putts, helping you dial in both line and speed.
The EyeLine Golf Putting Alignment Mirror gives instant feedback on face angle and setup, so you’re starting each putt on the intended line.
The PuttOut Putting Mat pairs great with both tools, giving you a smooth surface to practice on year-round indoors or out.

Conclusion: Build Confidence, Make More Putts, Lower Your Scores

Expanding your putting range isn’t about sinking every 40-footer — it’s about developing the touch, mindset, and consistency to get long putts close and convert more makeable ones. The difference between a 3-putt and a 2-putt adds up quickly, and if you can start making even one extra putt from 10 to 15 feet per round, you’ll see real progress on your scorecard.

With the right drills, equipment, and approach, you’ll gain the confidence to handle any putt on the course — long, mid-range, or short.

To help you take your practice to the next level, I’ve put together a free guide with 15 proven putting drills used by competitive players and my own students.

👉 Download your free copy here: Foygolfacademy.com/15-drills/

Golf Practice Plans to Follow

Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor